Veteran singer-songwriter Al Stewart, at the age of 80, delivered a memorable performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as part of what is being called his farewell tour. The concert, held in a venue where his grandfather once played the trumpet, featured a blend of his classic songs and detailed storytelling, supported by his backing band, The Empty Pockets.
Key Takeaways
- Al Stewart, 80, performed at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on his farewell tour with the band The Empty Pockets.
- The venue holds a special significance for Stewart, as his grandfather was a trumpet player in the Philharmonic Orchestra.
- The setlist included iconic hits like "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages," alongside lesser-known historical narratives.
- Stewart shared numerous anecdotes, including a story about meeting John Lennon as a teenager.
- The show concluded with a standing ovation from the near-capacity audience after a 13-song set.
A Personal Connection to a Historic Venue
For Al Stewart, the performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall was more than just another stop on a tour. He proudly shared with the audience that his grandfather had been a trumpet player in the very same Philharmonic Orchestra, adding a layer of personal history to the evening.
This connection resonated with the near sell-out crowd, who greeted the Glasgow-born, Bournemouth-raised musician with significant enthusiasm. Despite the tour being billed as a farewell, Stewart's stage presence was warm and engaging, punctuated by his characteristic dry wit.
The Farewell Tour Explained
The tour is specifically promoted as Al Stewart's final tour performing with his current band, The Empty Pockets. While it signals an end to this chapter of his extensive touring career, it does not necessarily mean a complete retirement from all live performances.
The Empty Pockets and a Nod to Liverpool's Icons
Before Stewart took the stage, his backing band, The Empty Pockets, performed a 30-minute opening set. Hailing from Chicago, the band members—Josh on guitar, Erika on keyboards, Matt on bass, and Adam on drums—expressed their excitement about performing in the home city of The Beatles.
Their enthusiasm culminated in a lively cover of "Oh Darling!" from the Abbey Road album, which was well-received by the Liverpool audience. The band's rapport with Stewart, whom they affectionately call "Uncle Al," was evident throughout the main performance, providing a tight and respectful musical foundation for his songs.
A Journey Through a Storied Career
Stewart began his 13-song set with "You Should Have Listened To Al," a track from his 1969 album Love Chronicles. He humorously introduced the song by saying the album was released in "1922," one of many self-deprecating jokes he made about his long career, which spans 17 studio albums.
Between songs, Stewart captivated the audience with stories from his past. He recounted being a 17-year-old who managed to get backstage at a Beatles concert, where he spoke with John Lennon and even played his guitar. These moments provided intimate context to the music that followed.
A Career Spanning Decades
Al Stewart's career began in the British folk revival scene of the 1960s. He is known for his unique style of "historical folk-rock," which blends folk melodies with lyrics that often reference historical events and figures.
Storytelling Through Song
Many of the songs performed were preceded by an explanation of their origins, transforming the concert into a lesson in history and personal experience. He paid tribute to his musical influences, mentioning contemporaries like Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny, and acknowledged his one-time mentor, musician Robert Fripp, before performing "Midas Shadow."
"This was a concert where you could savour Al doing what he does best: singing, playing, joking, informing and entertaining."
He revealed that the song "Antarctica" was not about the continent but a metaphor for a woman who was emotionally distant. His passion for history was on full display with tracks like "Lord Granville" and "The Palace of Versailles." Stewart also performed "Joe The Georgian," a surprisingly upbeat song about the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, showcasing his unconventional approach to songwriting.
Classic Hits and a Standing Ovation
The audience responded enthusiastically to many of Stewart's best-known works. "On The Border" was a clear crowd favorite, and his 1978 American hit "Time Passages" retained its distinct, dream-like quality in the live setting.
The highlight for many was the performance of his signature 1976 song, "Year of the Cat." The track, often cited as a masterpiece of 1970s pop, was brought to life with the help of guest musician Chase Huna, whose saxophone and flute solos were integral to the arrangement. The intricate narrative and musical composition earned a powerful response from the hall.
For his final song, Stewart chose a cover of Bob Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," a fitting tribute to another master lyricist. As the song concluded, the audience rose to its feet for a sustained standing ovation, a warm send-off for an artist with deep connections to the city.